Review Summary:

Volkswagen’s Golf is truly a car of the people. It’s been with us for nearly 40 years, and in that time has experienced highs and lows. This latest version is very much a high…

Pros

Build quality Looks

Cons

Price tag

Looks

There is not much new on the VW Golf in 2014, since its latest updates haven’t been with us long. Certainly, the Golf is a great looking hatchback which manages to work in all situations. The new sharper headlights still bear the twin lamp look which is synonymous with the Golf. Alongside the Ford Focus, the Golf is one of the best looking hatchbacks on the market.

Feel

Volkswagen does tend to utilise a lot of the same parts across its range of models, and this is true of the Golf as well. There is nothing in there that screams of being original, but then, does it matter? If the interior is smart, well thought-out, and nicely finished, are you going to mind sharing the same bits and pieces with a Passat? Probably not.

Engineering

Unusually for a premium hatchback in this class, the 2014 Volkswagen Golf comes with a raft of entertainment features, which centres around a touchscreen media interface. Also on offer is an SD-card slot, standard-issue CD player and an auxiliary jack. Front and rear parking sensors, Bi-Xenon headlamps, and a panoramic sunroof are all available.

What’s on offer?

The standard Golf comes with two engine options; 1.2 litres and 1.4 litres. Both are well-equipped as standard and cost AED 80,000 and AED 84,000 respectively. The 1.4 litre model will deal with 0-100kp/h in 8.4 seconds and will average 5 litres for 100km of distance. Then there is the GTi; at AED 125,000, it’s 2.0 litre turbo will warp you from city to city in the blink of an eye (yes, it’s as good as you’d imagine it). Sadly, the Golf R won’t be available for the next 8 – 9 months though.

Summing it

The Golf is the cornerstone of VW’s success. Cheap to maintain and run, effectively bullet proof, strong, reliable and pleasing on the eyes. It is a very good car, this, but it does start to go wrong at the price. The Focus, the Golf’s main rival, is between AED 15,000 – 20,000 cheaper, and that is a substantial amount. If you are a loyal Golf owner then you won’t be displeased, but if cost matters, it’s hard to justify AED 80,000 for a 1.2 litre engine.

2 Responses to 2014 Volkswagen Golf | new car review

I purchased a 2015 Golf GTI and am totally satisfied with my decision. The performance, fuel economy, handling, and long-term maintenance costs are lower than other comparable cars that I researched. Interior room is superior and some features unique to this model and not all are available in other similar vehicles.

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